Every year around this time, Canadian Snowbirds are packing their bags to escape the cold Canadian winter. With over half a million Canadians looking to get out of the cold and into the sun, it is important to remember to protect your skin with proper sunscreen. Over 80,000 cases of skin cancer are diagnosed in Canada each year, more than 5,000 of which are melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer. Though skin cancer is preventable and most often treatable, it remains the most common form of cancer.

The Ultra Violet (UV) radiation levels vary depending on the time and location. The World Health Organization posts a UV Index on their website with a list of the UV measurements according to the area. The Weather Network also has a UV Report that you allows you to type in the destination of where you are headed, and it will advise the latest reading for that area.

Most of us understand the importance of using sunscreen to protect our skin from the damaging UV rays but with so many options of sunscreen products and different levels of protection, how is one supposed to choose? In order to select the right sunscreen for you, it is important to understand a few sunscreen basics.

Picking the proper sunscreen starts with deciding the type of exposure you are expecting. If you will only be outdoors for a few minutes at a time, a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15, which filters out about 93 percent of UV radiation, is usually sufficient. If you plan on enjoying the sun longer than just a few minutes, you will want to look at a sunscreen option with a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.

Laser and Skin Care Medspa offers high quality, affordable skincare, and sunscreen products for normal and problem skin types. Issues such as acne or rosacea require particular attention, and we take the time to discuss your options with you and gain an understanding of your skin type before recommending a product.

Actinic keratosis (AK), also known as solar keratosis, is a skin condition caused by exposure to ultraviolet radiation (i.e. sunlight). Some experts believe that AK is the earliest form of SCC.

Basal cell Carcinoma (BCC) is the most common form and accounts for 90% of all skin cancers. It starts in the basal cells at the bottom of the epidermis (outer skin layer) and is caused by long-term exposure to sunlight. It is the most easily treated.

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the second most common type. It starts in the epidermis, eventually penetrating the underlying tissue if not treated. It is easily treated when found early, but in a small percentage of cases, this cancer spreads (metastasizes) to other parts of the body.

Malignant melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer and is responsible for the most deaths. However, it can be cured if it is diagnosed and removed early. Melanoma can develop from a pre-existing mole that appeared normal but changes, or as an irregular appearing new spot.

Sunscreen is an integral part of a sun protective regime. You should also include time out of the sun in a shady area, wearing protective clothing such as a full brim hat and sunglasses, and avoid the UV tanning beds. If you would like assistance picking out the best sunscreen for your skin type, the professional staff at Laser and Skin Care Medspa are available to answer all your questions and make a recommendation for you.

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Once a permanent decision, tattoos are no longer everlasting or something you have to learn to live with. Whatever your reason for wanting to have a tattoo removed, with today’s laser technology it makes it possible to eliminate or fade most tattoos.

Reasons for wanting a tattoo removed are as unique as the reasons for getting the ink in the first place. Whether it is a bad or fading tattoo, what you once thought was cool is no longer suited to you, or your life has taken you in a different direction, you do not have to settle for a cover-up if what you really want is to have it removed.

Painting of the human body goes back to the beginning of time. In the past, if you no longer wanted that ink the common techniques included cryosurgery, dermabrasion or excision. The variety of techniques used to apply tattoos is staggering; the source of the ink, where on the body the tattoo is applied, colors and designs used, even the depth into the skin can vary dramatically. Thus the approach that the practitioner faces to remove tattoos must take into account that every person and every tattoo that is unique.

Laser and Skin Care Medspa is pleased to announce the recent acquisition of a Spectra Laser. This Q Switched laser is considered to be the gold standard in the removal of tattoos. There are a number of factors that must be taken into account such as the size, location, depth, and color of the tattoo before the number of treatments is decided upon. The treatment session each take from 10 to 30 minutes and most patients report no pain other than a warming of the skin and a light prickly feeling.

There is a waiting time in between each session to allow your body to remove the tattoo ink fragments and heal but after each session, you will notice the ink becoming lighter. This will depend on the colors of the tattoo and inks used. Black and dark green are the easiest colors to remove while yellow, purple, turquoise and fluorescent dyes are hardest to fade. With no downtime and minimal side effects, you can return to your normal activities immediately after a session.

As with any procedure at the Laser and Skin Care Medspa in Red Deer, our consultations are free. If you have a tattoo you’ve been contemplating having removed, give us a call to schedule an appointment. We are the only clinic in Central Alberta with this Laser and look forward to hearing from you soon.

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If you’ve been finding small, rough areas that are slightly ‘waxy’ looking and have slightly raised surfaces on your body, you’re certainly not alone. Men and women often visit our clinic complaining of these spots that crop up in places like their chest, scalp, shoulders, back, or abdomen. These spots that are round or oval in shape and are usually brown in color are called seborrheic keratosis. More than anything, however, most people don’t like how they look and want to know how to get rid of them.

Seborrheic Keratosis is a type of skin growth and while they can be unsightly, the growths are not harmful. However, because it can be difficult to differentiate from melanoma, a serious skin cancer, you should have it looked at by a doctor.

What Causes Seborrheic Keratosis?

The growths will start out as small, rough bumps but over time will become thicker and develop a warty type surface. Some people describe these spots as being ‘stuck’ to their skin. While doctors are not certain as to why seborrheic keratosis develop, some possible causes are exposure to sunlight, genetics and age. While most people aren’t thrilled to discover these growths, the good news is that most can be managed or even removed with professional skin care treatments and products.

How to Treat these Spots

In most cases, it’s possible to exfoliate these round or oval spots and remove the rough dead skin cells and smooth the skin. After exfoliation, applying a quality alpha hydroxy product is beneficial. While some people will be able to entirely remove the spots using this method, others will be able to reduce their appearance. Seborrheic keratosis can also be removed with a laser. An intense beam of light will destroy the growth.

Seborrheic keratosis is a common, harmless growth that appears on the skin of at least thirty percentage of those over 40 years of age. The lesions are not painful but can be annoying or embarrassing and can be removed. If you have questions or would like more information, please do not hesitate to contact the professional staff at Laser and Skin Care Medspa. Set up a FREE consultation for your skin care concerns by calling the Medspa at (403) 347-8050.